I have had sensorineural hearing loss since childhood that has been attributed to having chicken pox and measels at a young age.  I have been told all my life that hearing aids would not help as it would amplify that which I hear and not give me the clarification needed for word understanding.  In January of this year (2009) I went to see an otolaryngologist to find out once and for all if this was the case.  I did not want to spend thousands of dollars on hearing aids and not have them benefit me.  The outcome of that visit was after an extensive audiogram I saw Dr. Gantz at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.  He agreed that what I have always heard but suggested a cochlear implant.  I was very negative on that and after hearing all the pros and cons went home that  day with my head swimming with information.  I had a return appointiment in February to discuss further if I would consider an implant.  My husband and family have been very supportive of this since we first encountered Dr. Gantz but it did take my husband longer to feel comfortable with it due to the side affects and high risks involved with the surgery.  On March 27, 2009 I had a Hybrid Coclear implant on my left ear.  This will enable me to utilize what little residual hearing I still have and will combine the cochlear with a hearing aid thus the hybrid.  I am a little over two weeks post -op right now and awaiting activation day on April 28th.  

Update~  It has been two years now since I was implanted with the Freedom Hybrid.  My experiences and journey to hearing have been phenomenal and I'm still having 'CI moments' even now!